A Few of Our GTNP Favorites

Here are a few more of our favorite stops during our time in Grand Teton National Park.

On a chilly, cloudy day we spent a nice morning in the National Museum of Wildlife Art. We enjoyed viewing paintings by Moran, Bierstadt, O'Keeffe, Rungius, Audubon as well as many other notable artists.  All expressed the theme of wildlife art.

There are several wonderful bronze animal sculptures displayed on the Museum's grounds.

An inviting interior greets you with animal art seemingly everywhere, even the ceiling was embellished.

Another favorite of ours were the views from the summit of Signal Mountain, 7727 feet.

One morning we got up at daybreak to see the sun's first light on the Teton Mountain Range.

 My rendition of the most photographed barn in America..the T.A. Moulton Barn on Mormon Row.

This is the other T.A. Moulton Barn..

My view of the Arrowleaf Balsamroot growing in the sage flats.

Jackson Lake cloud reflections.

A Lonely Tree..seen somewhere in Grand Teton Nation Park.

And finally, another moody day at the Schwabacher Landing.

After our amazing 2 weeks in the Grand Teton National Park, we spent 5 days in Idaho Falls. There we got caught up on laundry, annual Jeep maintenance and updating the blog.

More Later
 from somewhere in central Idaho.

GTNP: Part Three

The Gros Ventre Slide was not far from our campground.  We continued our auto-hiking further up the Gros Ventre Road where we found this unusual major landslide. It is obvious to anyone that something significant happened to this side of the mountain.  You see this large swath of exposed rock, appearing like part of the just mountain slid off somewhere. 

This pull off signage confirmed our thoughts.  On June 23, 1925 one of the largest landslides ever recorded occurred here.  Caused by heavy rains and rapidly melting snow, it saturated the deep shale rock layer of the earth (Sheep Mountain) and it just gave way.  The second photo below of another info sign states that 50 million cubic yards of earth slid down and created a natural earthen dam on the Gros Ventre River.  The Lower Slide Lake was formed and still exists today.

Lower Slide Lake also has this eerie ghost forest in the center.  Notice the dead tree trunks center right, standing in the lake water.

Unfortunately on May 17, 1927, after another rain spell and melting heavy snow pack, a portion of this earthen dam holding back the Gros Ventre River broke. It sent torrents of water into the little community of Kelly.  Stories recorded from locals describe a bad scene of floating homes, people holding into trees with several people lost or drowned.  To learn more about this historical event, click this link here: 

Kelly Flood Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum.

Continuing on, we drive towards the Red Hills area in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.  That's the Gros Ventre River below, as it winds through this scenic valley.

Coming up upon this view of the smooth red hills was overwhelming and inspiring.  These are the Red Hills of the Gros Ventre Mountains. Internet research describes this unusual area of a sandstone deposit leftover from a shallow sea over 50 million years ago! The lush green pasture area was filled with a large herd of horses, the perfect ranch location.

Hard to imagine, we are so far away standing here on this hilltop that you can barely see the horses in the pasture below.

After driving the Jeep down the very scenic Gros Ventre Road for about 15 miles, we turned around to return back to our campsite.  We were struck by this view of the storms gathering over the Teton Mountain Range.

While driving along the Gros Ventre Road, we also passed by this old abandoned log cabin.  Internet research tells us it is the "Shane Cabin".  This old cabin was actually built by Luther Taylor in 1923 and leased to a movie company to be used in the 1953 western movie "Shane". This cabin was only used in the movie for a few minutes.  The Park Service now deems it as "ruins" and is allowing it to deteriorate.

We actually made a couple of drives up the Gros Ventre Road to also see the Big Horn Sheep.

We also enjoyed our drive through the National Elk Refuge.  This dirt Forest Service road, destination Curtis Canyon Campground, took us up over 10,000 feet.  Our last week in Grand Teton National Park was a chilly one.  A cold front dropped down from the north, clouds and storms surrounded the mountain range for our last few days.

More later.

Just a few more of my favorites.

GTNP: Part Two

A highlight of our stay in Grand Teton National Park was our experience on the Jackson Hole Aerial Tramway.  Lifting off from an enclosed landing platform in Teton Village, the two cars holding 100 passengers each, take people up to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.  The tram glides 4,139 vertical feet to its summit in only 12 minutes.  The 360 degree views at the top were unbelievable. We also enjoyed those gourmet waffles and hot coffee served at Corbin's Cabin.  We were 10,450 feet above sea level, not quite the dizzying heights of Pikes Peak's 14,115 ft summit but still very high!

I quickly made this picture from inside our tram car as the second one whizzed past us.

Left photo here, we're waiting to board the tram as the second one comes down from the top.  Second photo on the right taken from inside our tram as we ascend to the top of the mountain. 
We learn that the tram system was first built in 1966 while the second tram car and system was added and all updated in 2008.  During the winter season, the tram transports well experienced skiers to descend the mountain ski slopes. Our tram operator told Ronnie that the cable system was due to be replaced with a new one this year.

Our views ascending the Rendezvous Mountain.

More photos from inside the tram car.  We could see the ski trails below us from on both sides of the tram. 

Reaching the summit, you're struck by the incredible views, the windy chilly air and the lack of vegetation.

The trail seen here, snow removed, that several people took towards the snow bowl off in the distance.

My lemon waffle from Corbet's Cabin Top of the World Waffles was scrumptious.  This small building situated at the summit also served hot chocolate, coffee, beer and other snacks.  It was chilly so we opted to enjoy the views from inside rather than on their deck.

View from the summit, looking towards the distant Bridger-Teton National Forest.

The smallish forest seen below in the foreground is the Gros Ventre Wilderness, where the small community of Kelly and our campground are all located.

Zoomed in photo of Shadow Mountain.  That's the Snake River seen winding through the valley.

The only vegetation I saw on the summit was this small patch of yellow alpine wildflowers.  We also saw a crow and one small bird (and lots of other tourists).

Grand Teton Peak, 13770 ft, shrouded in clouds this day.

When you purchase tram tickets, your pass is for the entire day.  We first went up around 11am, soon the clouds formed and the snow and rain fell.  We descended, got some lunch at the Mangy Moose Restaurant in Jackson Hole then rode back up the tram a second time.  The sun was out and the views a little clearer.

 Left photo, that's Ronnie in the black jacket walking down to the tram loading platform.  Right photo taken from the tram car of one of the five towers that hold 12,600 feet of steel cable.

 Quick photo as the second tram goes back down the mountain.

Our view from the tram as we descend back down to Jackson Hole. What a memorable day, one of our most favorite in the Grand Teton National Park.

More later

from our Jeep-exploring day trips in Grand Teton National Park.